Have you ever felt like your wardrobe is a puzzle, with pieces that don’t quite fit together? Or perhaps, despite your best efforts, finding clothes that truly complement your unique shape and style feels like a Herculean task? You’re not alone. Like many intelligent, professional and more mature (cough cough) women, I too have faced the daunting challenge of dressing a body that doesn’t conform to the so-called “manufacturing standard.” This is a story not just about fashion, but about self-expression, personal growth, and the journey to embracing our evolving bodies with confidence and grace.
The Quest for the Perfect Fit
One of my wonderful Inside Out Style readers told me “For years, I’ve been an active participant in various wardrobe challenges, meticulously curated Pinterest collections to pinpoint my style, and even delved into graphs to assess my lifestyle wardrobe needs. Despite these efforts, creating cohesive outfits from my pared-down closet felt like an insurmountable challenge, especially after recent weight changes. My decade-long commitment to CrossFit has sculpted my body with broader shoulders and stronger thighs, presenting a unique set of challenges in finding well-fitting shirts, blazers, and pants that accommodate my muscular build without sacrificing style or comfort. I need help!”
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The Struggle with Shopping
Shopping, a task that many approach with excitement, has been a source of frustration for me for years. The difficulty in finding clothes that fit isn’t just about size; it’s about finding pieces that reflect my quality, style, and budgetary expectations. The reality is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to shopping for clothes, especially for those of us whose bodies defy the narrow confines of standard sizing. Let’s celebrate what your body can do for you, as your size and shape don’t have anything to do with your value (even though the fashion industry can make you feel like you’re not important to them as they don’t cater to you).
Embracing Tailored Solutions
The solution, though not as simple as a magical wardrobe overhaul, lies in adjusting our expectations and exploring creative avenues. Tailored clothing, once a luxury, has become an increasingly accessible option for achieving the perfect fit. Engaging a dressmaker or exploring the bespoke offerings of artisans on platforms like Etsy can provide clothing that not only fits but also flatters and feels uniquely ours. In recent years I’ve started sewing my own clothes again more and more as it gives me the opportunity to select the fabric, colours and styles I like and also custom fit the garment.
Here’s a dress I made myself
Lower Your Shopping Expectations, Not Your Standards
When venturing back into the world of shopping, it’s vital to approach it with a mindset prepared for the challenges ahead. Online research, understanding the measurements and cuts that best suit your body, and opting for garments with a bit of stretch can make the process less daunting. Remember, alterations are not a sign of defeat but a step towards personalization. Embracing this approach can transform shopping from a chore into an act of self-care, allowing us to express our personalities through our wardrobe choices.
Expecting to need alterations means that you buy for the wider parts of yourself and have other parts of the garment taken in to fit.
Building a Wardrobe You Love: Beyond the Fit
Finding clothes that fit beautifully is crucial, but it’s only half the story. Your wardrobe should reflect your personal style and make you feel confident.
- Think “investment pieces” over fleeting trends. Aim for high-quality garments that will last for seasons to come. Cost per wear is your friend – a piece you adore will be worn often, justifying the initial investment.
- Explore pre-loved clothing. Sustainable and often budget-friendly, vintage stores and online marketplaces offer unique finds that express your individuality. Here are my tips on how to thrift like a pro.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment! Stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to surprising style discoveries.
- Fabric is your friend: Opt for fabrics with a little “give.” Blended fabrics with a touch of elastane can move with your body and feel amazing.
The Power of Community
In our quest for the perfect fit, we need not walk alone. Sharing experiences and tips with fellow fitness enthusiasts or style program members can uncover hidden gems and strategies for tackling the fashion world’s complexities. Whether it’s discovering brands that cater to your specific needs or finding solace in the shared challenges of dressing your unique body, there’s strength in community, and is one of the wonderful aspects of my 7 Steps to Style program, as members frequently share their experiences with different retail outlets.
Reflection and Action: The Path Forward
As we navigate the intersection of personal growth, lifestyle, and fashion, it’s important to remember that our wardrobe should be a source of joy and self-expression. The journey toward a closet that reflects our unique selves may be fraught with challenges, but it’s also an opportunity for creativity, exploration, and ultimately, empowerment. So, let’s lower our shopping expectations but not our standards, embrace the beauty of tailored solutions, and celebrate the bodies that carry us through our incredible journeys. Together, we can redefine what it means to dress with confidence and style.
Crafting a wardrobe that respects our body’s uniqueness, aligns with our lifestyle, and expresses our personal style is more than a fashion statement—it’s a form of self-expression and empowerment. Remember, the goal is not to fit into a pre-defined mold but to create a mold that fits us. Here’s to finding, or creating, pieces that make us feel as fabulous as we truly are.
Get Your Style Education
If you’d love to learn what really works for your body and how you can express your personality through your style with less stress, more ease, and without wasting lots of time, energy, and money, I’d love to invite you to my 7 Steps to Style program.
